When
Ralph and his brother Carter formed the Stanley Brothers more then fifty
years ago, they created a musical legacy that would span several generations.
Ralph continued on the musical journey after his brother died tragically
in 1966.
Taking on fresh young talent--e.g. Keith Whitley, Ricky
Skaggs, Charlie Sizemore, Ernie Thaker--Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain
Boys, as they were now called, continued to grow in popularity. Ralph's
20-year-old son Ralph II is also a fine singer and guitar player in the
tradition of his Uncle Carter. "II" has been lead singer with his father's
band for quite a few years now. Ralph's traditional mountain style bluegrass
has become a well-respected form of music. Ask any of today's hot young
bluegrass pickers who Influenced them--if they don't mention Ralph they've been
living in a cave.
-Kathryn Gibbs
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